Arrest made in attempted robbery of Littleton gas station

LITTLETON — Littleton police have made an arrest in last week’s attempted robbery of a local gas station and convenience store.

Christopher Manzella, 27, of 3 Main St., Apartment 10, was taken into custody Wednesday after police obtained a warrant for his arrest. He’s being held at the Grafton County jail in North Haverhill on $10,000 bail, charged with armed robbery and falsification of physical evidence, police said in a news release issued Thursday afternoon.

Police Chief Paul Smith said last week that a masked robber armed with a handgun made an unsuccessful attempt on the evening of Dec. 3 to rob the Circle K/Irving gas station on Cottage Street. He fled after a clerk refused to give him the money he demanded.

Two days later, police responded to 200 Sampson Road in Littleton on an early-morning report of suspicious activity. Police discovered the home had been burglarized and copper piping had been forcibly removed. Further investigation revealed the copper had then been sold at a Lisbon salvage yard.

Evidence gathered at the scene of the earlier robbery attempt —- including store surveillance video — prompted police to consider Manzella a suspect in that crime, according to police, who arrested him Wednesday while he was already being held in connection with the Sampson Road burglary.

“This case required many hours of field work,” Smith said in the release. “Littleton officers worked around the clock to bring Mr. Manzella to justice. I am very proud of the efforts of the officers of the Littleton Police Department whose commitment and due diligence helped bring a quick resolution to safeguard our community,” he said.

Smith added that the crimes appear to be drug-related, and additional arrests may be made. Franconia and Bethlehem police assisted in the investigation, he said.